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Gaultheria procumbens

wintergreen

plant overview

glows in the dark

Wintergreen a member of the Ericaceae family and is found throughout eastern North
America. Depending on locale, the herb is also known by a variety of alternate
names such as checkerberry, teaberry, chinks, wax cluster, ivory plum and—for
reasons unknown to us—drunkards. Wintergreen lends its fresh, minty flavor to
tea blends, syrups, mouthwashes and candies. The oils in the plant, which were
once used to soften leather for book binding, absorb and convert ultraviolet
light into blue light that is visible to the naked eye. The next time you’re
chewing on a wintergreen candy, turn out the lights and look in a mirror with
your mouth open.

Clicking "learn more" next to each variety will take you to individual
product pages for details.

01.
A Bit of Botany
a little botanical information on wintergreen

description
Gaultheria procumbens a member of the Ericaceae family.

Wintergreen is a small
low-growing shrub, that typically reaching 10–15 centimeters (3.9–5.9 in) in height.
The leaves have a distinctive wintergreen scent are evergreen; they are shaped elliptic to ovate, 2–5 cm long and 1–2 cm broad.
Wintergreen's white flowers are bell-shaped, about 5 mm in length, and are borne solitary or in short racemes.

Wintergreen's berry-like fruit is in actuality
a dry capsule surrounded by fleshy calyx. The fruit is red and is about 6–9 mm diameter. Wintergreen spreads by
means of long rhizomes, which are run along the top 20–30 mm of soil.

common names & nomenclature
The plant's common name of wintergreen refers to the plant's ability to remain "green in winter", as suggested by the Dutch wintergroen, and German Wintergrün.

climate
Wintergreen grows in woods and clearings, especially beneath
evergreen trees in full to part shade.

soil
Prefers a moist but not too wet humus rich soil. A peat and moisture loving
species, it requires a lime-free soil. Once it is well
established it succeeds in dry soils and tolerates considerable drought.

growing
Division can be carried out at almost any time of the year, but works best
in the spring just before new growth begins. Larger clumps can be replanted
direct into their permanent positions. Can also be grown from seed or
cuttings.

harvesting
The leaves can be gathered at any time from spring to early autumn, they are dried for later use.

04.
The Rest of the Story
wintergreen history, folklore, literature, and more

wintergreen history
European settlers learned to use wintergreen from Native Americans, who made
the herb into a tea, as well as to freshen breath. During the American
Revolution, wintergreen tea was an alternative to imported tea, which was
heavily taxed by the British.

Wintergreen oil was used in cosmetics at one time, as well as bookbinding. The oil’s softening properties
were used to make leather more pliable. The mint-like flavor of
wintergreen was once featured in toothpaste, mouthwash, root beer and chewing
gum, such as Clark's Teaberry chewing gum. However, the active ingredient has
largely been replaced with a flavoring agent obtained from birch.

wintergreen parts used
Whole leaves and fruit, and the essential oil obtained from the leaves.

wintergreen preparations
The raw herb is prepared as tea. The essential oil is diluted and applied topically.

wintergreen consituents
The primary active ingredient is methyl salicylate, which has a rubefacient effect.

wintergreen cautions
May produce local allergic reactions on skin. Internal use of the essential
oil is not recommended without the supervision of a qualified health care
practitioner.

for educational purposes only

This information has not been evaluated by
the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

please be advised: you should always consult with your doctorbefore making any changes
to your diet!!